Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Ever since I started turkey hunting past in grade school, I always killed a majority of my birds by spotting them and then stalking them. Most of the turkeys on my WEBPAGE are from this method. The turkeys around here seem to be call-shy majority of the time, regardless of how good a caller you are. But I've also been put down by other hunters saying stalking turkeys is unsafe and un-ethical because somebody else could always be tresspassing on the land you're hunting, which could put you in the range of a gun. I've only do it on private land, where I only have access to it, and to me is just as exciting and probably even more of a challenge(depends of situation) than calling birds in. What's you're take on it? Why do people view spot and stalk so much different than hunting deer, when rifles even have a longer range?

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

If you are hunting private land I don't see it being a big risk,throw on some blaze orange and you should be OK. I have a hard time thinking you should limit yourself based on the posibility of a poacher. As far as is it ethical? Hell yeah! I haven't done any turkey hunting, but I can't see it being easier to sneak up on a wild animal than to call them into range. Just a different kind of challenge. If what you are doing is legal, safe and humane, don't worry about what another hunter thinks. Be safe, shoot straight, have fun!

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I never set out to do it, but I have snuck up close to turkeys in the field and try to call them over close for a shot.

Hal

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

You stand the risk of 'walking' into somebody else's line of fire is you stalk but otherwise I enjoy stalking as well. I always make sure it is on private property and that nobody else is hunting in the area-beats sitting and waiting

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

i use any method that works i would much rather call them in though when we move ahead of the birds and resetup isn't that aform of stalking?

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I agree with the other posts, I don't think it's unethical. Remember, your taking the game by fair play and under fair standards. Those who don't agree can't sneak up on them and feel that they are missing out on something.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I agree. If anyone has hunted spring turkeys long enough, you know that on some days your going to try to have to get closer or try to circle and cut them off. Nothing "unethical" about doing that at all, that's turkey hunting!!! The problem is when some people stalk "hen" sounds!!! That is asking for trouble, or worst yet, risk getting shot!!

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

How is that unethical?? Its legal. These people are telling you its easier to sneak/stalk within shotgun range of a turkey than to call a turkey in to a still hunter???? BS.
Im just getting sick and tired of people ranting and raving and calling certain LEGAL hunting methods unethical just because they prefer to do it another way.
If you can consistantly stalk and shoot gobblers then you are a good hunter. IMO.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I definitely wouldn't say it was unethical but it certainly cheapens the experience for me personally. I am different than many in this regard. I prefer to take whitetails treestand hunting with a bow and I perfer to call up my turkeys and I don't derive as much satisfaction from doing it any other way. That being said I have known a lot more people that were able to consistently sneak up on turkeys and shoot them than I have that were able to consistently kill them calling. I personally just don't think it takes much skill to sneak on them as it does to call them. JMO

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Ethical or not, its not legal here.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Figure this one out.Here in Pa. it's illegal to stalk a Spring turkey however in the fall it is legal

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Its a safety issue to those who think its unethical!!!Getting into position or repostioning on a gobbler are just other words for stalking in my opinion!Theres always a certain amount of stalking involved in a turkey hunt to get into an effective set-up!!!;)

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

RED , sorry man , for some reason I deleted one of your double posts and both disappeared. Man it was a good one , but I don't understand why this happened,, I'll be making a visit to the Mod form on this one. Sorry I didn't mean for this to happen ...BT

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

No problem AJH, I didnt even realize I double posted SORRY!

Basically my post said that I cannot see how anyone could call stalking an animal like the turkey with their AMAZING hearing and eyesight anything other than darn good and certainly NOT unethical.

Just because a state says its illegal doesnt mean its unethical. The rules are COMPLETELY about hunter safety because to many idiots want to try and shoot movement. That has NOTHING to do with whether or not someone is good enough to get close to a bird.

I have grown up living a dream which entails having a family cattle ranch in southern MO. So for 20 years I have chased birds in THE greatest place I personally think God ever created for the turkey nut! In that 20 years I have killed far more as a result of stalking than I have calling them up. When the chips are down, the birds are call shy and henned up a mans "gotta do whata mans gotta do". And once you figure out a few key strutting and hang out places that toms like to go too, then you got it licked. They are just like deer, what makes an area attractive to one buck/tom makes it attractive too others year after year after year (assumin nothing major changes in the landscape).

For another "bent" on the stalking we have started hunting them in popup blinds over the last couple of years and they are like NOTHING else Ive seen in turkey hunting. Toms arent like deer in that they dont recognize that "that camo box over there wasnt there yesterday". We routinely hunt with Double Bulls in the wide open without any brush or special precautions. They simply dont bother turkeys. Its REALLY nice when you have new hunters, kids or handicapped hunters who cant remain still or have special camo needs. Heck you dont even have to have camo on period. Shiny guns and bare faces and hands are fine. I even proved a point season before last on the first two days of MO spring season. We killed one bird shortly after daylight as he and 2 of his buddies flew down into a pasture like they had done for years before. But we were out there in the blind waiting for them opening morning. My father in law took his first bird (a 23#er) at less than 30yds. I bet them I could do it again too the remaining birds the very next morning in the very same spot. This time I left my calls and decoys in the truck for extra emphasis. I killed 5 minutes earlier and 10 yds closer than my father in law had the morning before, I guess you could say I was pretty sure about it. LOL

Its all about having fun,
RA

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Thankyou , Boy I was sweeting Bullets there :(...BT

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

If you are truely spotting and stalking them it is extra ethical. A wild turkeys eye sight and hearing is so great. They have the advantage by far. Waiting and ambushing them where they roost is a different story.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Ever since i've started turkey hunting, spot and stalk is the only way we have hunted them on rainy days and during the fall. On a rainy day, you can count on the gobblers being quiet around here and for sure they'll be in the fields. I shot my first bird on a true stalk, i crept to within 25 yards where i rolled the longest beared tom in that bachelor group. When we turkey hunt in the spring, we do alot of run n' gun, which is a form of stalking itself. How you can ban stalking turkeys is beyond me, as run n' gun is another form of this. i think if people go about it in a safe manner and are for sure whats beyond their target, stalking is 100% ethical. Besides, if someone is tresspassing and gets shot, they probably shouldnt have been there in the first place. the tresspasser brings it on themselves if they get shot.

slayer

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Run& gun is the name of the game. I have been doing it for years and it has worked.
Gselkhunter

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I hunt in deep woods and mountains. Spot and stalk dosent work for me. If I had big fields to spot them in from far away I would do the same thing!!!!

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

i think out of say a dozen or so birds, i have only called in three birds. the first was a bearded hen, who really didn't like my calling, and the other two were jakes that i got a double on last spring.( second day of the season, first morning for me, back in my truck just over an hour after i left it. hadn't even cooled off yet, lol.) all the rest, includeing a nice 9.5 inch bird, came to stalking, running and gunning. i actually have found it to be the easiest way for me.
Pat

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Looks like there are plenty of other people that do it too. And I thought I was one of the few.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Most people do. If you noticed it's kind of the theme here. There are a lot of people that can kill them stalking that can't kill them calling. That's why I don't rate the challenges equally and that's why I don't find stalking to be nearly as rewarding. To me turkey hunting is all about matching wits with the bird and getting him to do want he doesn't naturally do or even figuring out where he is going to be and then killing him.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I killed two turkeys spot and stalk with a bow!!!:D

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

silent you mentioned THE most important part of turkey hunting. Knowing where they want to go and getting there first. Calling a bird into a place he is already headed for is as easy as it can be. Thats part of learning and comes with experience. Calling "behind em" is a complete waste of time for the most part and MORE than a poor way to spend precious time and limited days afield.

IMHO getting in front of a bird and calling them where they were already headed is no harder or special than stalking them. You basically are ambushing them, you are just calling at them to hear them and convince yourself you "called em in". Sitting for hours in one spot knowing the bird will be back later in the morning when he is done with his hens, IMHO is boring as hell and really not maximizing ones time and odds afield. But thats the beauty of it, theres something for everyone.

Good luck to EVERYONE,
RA

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

No I won't. Well at least not after last year. Having taken other people hunting last year I waited till the last weekend of the spring gobbler until I took my gun. Saturday morning I blew an oppurtunity at a a couple toms:( and I started my way back to the truck. As i approached this meadow clearcut, I noticed a bird going across the opening so I went to set up on the opposite side and he would walk right to me, No need for me to do any calling, just be patient and watch as he nears. I did notice a 6" beard and as it got 30 yrds I shot once in the head and noticed that it wasn't a big bird but I believe it went 13 #'s. When I got home to clean the bird I reached up in it and thought I was grabbing a gizzard but it was actually a fully developed egg and with a cluster of yolk sacks. I shot a freaken bearded hen.[:'(] That hen would still be alive If I had called like your suppose too. I won't do it any more, but thats just me, Bobby

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

To me it is part of hunting. It is ethical -Easier said than done. The thing that isn't mentioned is woodsmanship. This to me is the most important part of any hunting.

Red - really enjoyed your posts!


To the bearded hen - if you called it would have come in anyhow. Bearded hens are in fact legal in most states and to me is a real trophy. You just don't see that many.

JW

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Good post JW!!!Applied woodsmanship coupled with a good understanding of turkey talk will maximize a potential hunters chances afield!Call it what you may but I do not consider myself a stalker rather a hunter!!My goal as silentassins is to call em to the gun barrel thats the high for me!Within that RA is exactly right you have to be in a position thats realistic in bringing a gobbler into a call,therefore it takes some manuevering to get in that position!Obviously knowing your own woods and the terrain therein is an asset!NOW, I will say this though it is your responsibilty as a ethical hunter to know your target and be aware of whats going on around you especially on public ground!!!I have been stalked on more than one occasion,once with a fella pointing a rifle towards my set-up because thats where he" heard the turkey "and it was on private ground!I've also had guys blow birds out of a roost tree and as a result sent bb's flying just over my head!!I agree its all about having fun but lets do it in a safe and fare chase manner that to me is what makes it ethical!!!

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I also have been stalked!

I mean if you can not tell the difference between a Hen call and a Tom's gobble then you really don't belong in the woods or fields! AND I MEAN IT!!

I had 3 people - one adult and 2 kids who stalked my set-up! I heard a hen call and did have decoys out. The echo of the calls where bouncing off the wood edge to my left. Normal place most burds came in. So I just sat there.
But as I took a peak at my decoy spread and looked hard right I see 2 heads pop up ever so silghtly at the fence line. I sat there motionless from my rag blind. What to do? I was not in the line of fire but what to do?

So I hollered at the top of my lungs without moving my body - "Mister put that gun muzzle up in the air!!" The 2 heads froze and looked confused. They still did not know I was there! So I hollered it one more time and stating - "If ya shoot I am shootin' back!!" Man that muzzle went straight up in the air!. It was at that point I moved and got out of my blind. I was hollering at them the whole way to them! I get there and see it is two young people and then here comes the dad who was doing the calling!
Whipped out my cell phone and started calling the sheriff! The dad asked what I was doing and I told them since this was private land they where tresspassing. He told me he had permission and I asked from whom. He mentiioned the name and I said well follow me over to the farmer and we can discuss this! I was mad to say the least. The group just quickly left. I still made the call. And did tell the famrer as I got a plate number off the truck.

Never knew what happened but it was scary to say the least.

Now - one thing I have always done - I NEVER place my decoys directly in front of me or in any position I could be shot! I have always kept them off to my left as I am a right handed shooter. Yes I look for the best place to put my decoys and the best place I won't be shot! If I can't find it I'll look for a new blind/decoy location.

Gotta be safe out there folks.
And a Big rule of Hunter Safety - Know your target and beyond!

JW!

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I don't use dekes on Public Ground because there are some idiots out there. I have called birds and stalked birds on private and public land. Both offer me a chance to test my skills albeit each set of skills is a little different. On public ground I usually where running shoes. I listen for the early morning gobbles and the lame locator calls that always seem to accompany them. I try to avoid other hunters and go to the gobblers that are farthest away before I set up. I have called in birds that get plastered by other hunters. Even had one guy come and thank me saying the bird wasn't responding to his calling but seemed fired up by mine. Is it ethical to shoot a bird someone else is working? I don't know and don't really care. I just like knowing I can do a fair job of calling and I can slip up on the birds that won't work. If I had my druthers I'd say I prefer to call the birds in but I'll be the first to admit that I'm going after the bird that won't work to a call. I mean how different is it than changing a bow stand location because you notice that you are 30 yards shy of the tree you need to be in to get an opp on that deer you've been after?

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

JW the guys that came to the hen call was during the fall season.......be safe all and enjoy the outdoors!:)

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

121553, the first bird i ever called in was a bearded hen. i had a beautiful setup, i could look to on side of me out into a field, large boulder at my back. in the front, just past my feet was a log about 3 foot high, which covered any movement i might make. there was a path to my left from the field to the woods, the only way a bird could easily see or walk by me. that bird walked ten feet away from me after having been called in. ithought it looked like a hen, but when i decided to play with it by calling( it was on the other side of the log, having walked in from the field), she dropped her wings like a tom and commenced to strutting! i mean wing dragging, tail fanning strutting! so i put the binos on her at about 20 yards, nothing. we kept playing this game, with me second guessing myself, until she turned into the morning sun, chest puffed out, as was her beard. that was all it took, near the end of the season, 1/2 mile from the truck, 45 minutes playing with one bird. i still wasn't actually certain which sex it was until i met another hunter. she was the hardest bird i have ever killed, i think she is probably the most prized one. the lenght of her beard was only but an inch and a half, but i have never had to work so hard as i did for her. yes, it is regretable to have killed a female during the spring, but look upon her as the trophy that she is.
Pat

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I see nothing wrong with that. I like that method. Sometimes stalking them is the only way you are going to get a shot at one.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

If you can stalk up on turkey and do it SAFELY and with COURTESY, then have it at......it's not my preferred method....the hunt for me is the game, the dialogue, the strategy, etc....NOTHING burns me up more than getting my setup screwed up by another hunter.....the guys that REALLY, REALLY irk me is the snipers.....unfortunately, rifle hunting is still legal here in Virginia during spring gobbler season.....and there's a bunch of snipers around here.......they hunt in pairs......one stands at the truck with a locater call, the other sneaks toward a gobbling bird with a .222.....I personally feel that just because something is legal, doesn't necessarily make it right.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Fullback-
That's awful. Had no idea a rifle was legal anywhere[:@] Not much challenge in that. Be safe out there.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I think it's completly ethical. If you can sneek up within gun range of a wild turkey with spooking him......you deserve to shoot him. I don't think that's any easier than sitting hidden and calling the bird in. As far as poachers go.....well, you should always ID what you are shooting at anyway. So if it's not a turkey w/out a doubt then don't shoot it. I can't imagine shooting at a sound or some unknown movement hoping it's a turkey. What is that about?

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Amen;) Takes far more woodsmanship to work into gun range of turkeys than calling ever will;)

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

Do it.

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I think RedAllison said it all back on page 2. WELL PUT!!

RE: Spot and Stalk Turkeys? Is it ethical?
 

I've called birds in and shot them at less than 10 paces which has been very exciting and also have had some stalks that have been quite satisfying. I hunt private land except for the Black Hills and I do love to call them in as they are awesome to watch all fanned out and spit drummin' but when the opportunity arises I'll use the terrain to get around to where I think they are headed. Sometimes I've called them in after that and other times I've headed them off and made the shot. One stalk in particular had me runnin' my tail off as I first spotted a group of gobblers with hens on a distant field top. I used a low spot in the middle of an open field to get around to where I thought they were going. Belly crawled to a corner of the field where they should have been headed. Well, they turned and when down to an old road. So I crawled back out while watching them, ran down a trail, along a steep hillside that lead around to the road, and snuck as far as I could up to meet them. I saw the first hen come thru the woods and got the gun up. That Rem Super Mag was getting heavy by the time the 2nd gobbler stepped out on the bank above the road. Had to lower the gun barrel while he turned away in full strut to rest my arms for a second. Then brought it back up as he was turning back around. Knocked him down as he walked into the road. That stalk was really fun. So it's all good to me either way...